Catapult for throwing projectiles.



(No Model.)

c. F. MGGLASHAN.

CATAPULT FOR THRWING PROJECTILES.

(Application fxled Dec. 2, 189B.`

Patented July I8, |899.

2 Sheets-Sheet l,

N0. 629,044. Patented July I3, |899.

C. F. MCGLAS'HAN.

CATAPULT FOR THROWING PBJECTILES.

(Application filed Dec. 2, 1898.1 iN Model-1 2 sheets-sheet 2.

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A Sgm/wko@ l W gw @4 M @o W iurrn raras amar CATAPULT FOR THROWING PROJECTILES.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,044, dated July 18, 189g;

Application filed December 2, 1898. Serial No. 698,089. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES F. MCGLA- sHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Truckee, county of Nevada, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Gatapults for Throwing Projectiles; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for hurling projectiles, and is especially designed for the throwing of projectiles containing dynamite or other explosive compound, which it is'desirable to throw without concussion or jar of any kind.

rIhe invention consists in the parts and the constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l is a general view of the catapult. Fig. 2 shows it with two springs. Fig. 3 is a View of a telescoping throwing-arm. Fig. 4 shows the manner of bringing the arm back. Fig. 5 is a detail of the holding and tripping device. Fig. 6 is a detail of the cup and conneet-ions. Fig. 7 is a modification of the same. Fig. 8 shows the employment of a spiralspring. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a plurality of spiral springs in connection with a coil-spring.

The object of my invention is to soimprove that class of apparatus known as catapult-s as to make them available for throwing bombs or other projectiles and in so constructing them that the trajectoryand distance to which the projectile is thrown may be accurately estimated and gaged, so thatthe operator can accurately determine the point to which any projectile of a given weight will be hurled by the apparatus. 1

In carrying out my invention I employ one or more coiled or -spiral springs'or a combination of a plurality of ieither or both of these forms of springs. These springs are made of steel of any suitable or desired diameter, depending upon the power required, and they are coiled into proportionately large coils when used in this form or into'spirals when used in the form of spiral springs. They may be combined in various forms, but IV shall here describe such a construction and combi` nation as have been proved by experiment to be very eflicient.

A A are springs which are coiled, as shown iu the present case, right and left, having long arms or continuations B at their adjai4 cent ends and shorter arms or projections C from the opposite ends of the coil. A base or support of anysuitable construction is em` ployed and the shorter arms O are secured to this base. These arms are here shown asprojecting at approximately right angles from the longer arms B, so that when the short arms have been secured to the base by hooks or clamps of any description the longer arms B will project upwardly in an approximately vertical position. These longer arms lie close together and may be connected or secured so as to move in unison by means of bands or fastenings b. The arms B may be made of any suitable or desired length, and one may `be made longer than the other, so as to lighten the weight at the outer end, or if the length is to be greatly increased, in order to give a higher velocity and longer sweep to the arm, the extension may be made tubular, as will be hereinafter more fully described. .At the outer end of the throwing-arm is a cup, which is designed to contain the projectile, which will also be hereinafter described.

The coil-springs are mounted as follows: Standards D are fixed upon the base I, and steel shafts a are supported in these standards, extending horizontally through the coils. The shafts are preferably covered or coated with some soft material, as leather, rubber, or other material, and exterior to them are fitted the cylindrical tubular sleeves a'. These sleeves are sufficiently larger than the shafts to tit over the intermediate packing and are sufficiently smaller than the interior of the coils to allow of a similar covering or packing to be fitted over the sleeve. The ends ofI the sleeves are formed as shown at 'a2 and are bored of a sufficient size to receive the interior shafts a. and to hold them central within the sleeves. The sleeves themselves form cushions for the coils and are in turn cushioned upon the material surrounding the inner shaft, the object being to preventthe noise and to absorb the vibration caused by the sudden movement and recoil of the springs when the arms 'are released. By this construction I am enabled to operate the device, when composed of very large and strong springs,withou t the use of any stop orbumper, as the oscillation and vibration are absorbed IOO by this interior construction and noise is prevented.

If'it is desired to extend the projectile-carrying arm to a great length and at the same time to reduce the weight so as not to impede its velocity, I construct the extensions of tubular sleeves V V V2 of decreasing diameter, so that one may tit inside of another. The end ofv the arm B will then be turned down and screw-threaded at each successive smaller diameter, as shown atB2 B3, so thatthe sleeves V V V2 can be screwed upon these small offsets and thus extended, the inner one supporting the next in size, which may be made somewhat longer, and the outer one again being supported by the two and being longer than either of the interior ones, so as to make up the desired length without greatly increasing the weight. ln order to bend these powerful springs and to bring the throwing-arm B into horizontal position, various devices may be used. I have shown a device which I call a bending-bar O. This bar is made of any desired length, having a suitable link or connection P for the attachment of a rope S, and this rope may pass around a windlass T or be operated by any other suitable ordesired power, so as to pull the bending-arm O backward and downward. This arm O is conneeted with the throwing-arm B as follows: The arln O forks at the end adjacent to the springs, the forks curving outwardly beyond the ends of the springs A and having hooks R formed upon the ends of the forks, which are adapted to clasp the projecting ends 'of the shaft a.. Q is a T-shaped rod, thc shank of which extends up in line with the shank O, while the cross portion of the T has upturned arlns, as shown, which' are adapted to engage with the forks of the shank O near their point of junction. The cross-bar then rests upon the arm or arms B, and when, by means of the apparatus previously described, the shank O is pulled backwardly it carries the arms B with it. After these arms have been latched and secured the bending-bar and its attachments are removed, thus leaving the arms B ready to be released when necessary.

In order to hold the arm B in place when it has been drawn backward and downward, I have shown a4 trigger E, which is mounted upon a shaft E, and this shaft is supported in standards F, fixed to the base-plate, asvshown. The shaftE is here shown as lying in the plane of movement of the arm B, and the trig ger E thus swings transversely with relation to this plane. The upper ends of the standards F are here shown as being cut away, as shown at f, so as to allow the arm B to pass down into these openings and into line with the upper end of the trigger E. This trigger has a curved semicircular channel formed in its upper end, as shown at d, and when the arm B is brought down it strikes the beveled upper end of the arm E, swinging it temporarily out of the way until the arm B has passed down opposite the 'semicircular groove d. The trigger then swings back so that the arm B is inclosed in this semicircular groove or channel; but the upper part of the groove or channel is of such shape that unless the trigger were held in this position the pressure ofthe arm B would easily throw it back and release the arm. I have therefore shown a tripping apparatus comprisinga stop G,which is fulcrumed so that when the trigger E is in position to clasp and hold the arm B this stop G abuts against the lower end of the trigger and prevents its being swung so as to release the arm B; but as soonas this stop G is depressed below the end of the trigger it allows the trigger to swing and the arm to be released. This disengagement takes place by pressing upon the shank j1/, which carries the stop G, either by the foot or by any suitable disengaging mechanism.

The cup or holder for the projectile is made as shown at J, and consists, essentially, of a frustum of a hollow cone, forming a tapering ring of sufficient depth to give it the necessary strength and having its inner face essentially conical and without any bottom, so that when the projectile, which is preferably made globular, rests upon this ring it has only a single line of contact with the surface of the ring. and will not stick or be held by the ring, as I have found to be the case whenever the cup is made spherical or has a bottom or any continuous surface or support for the projectile. The inner surface of the ring is -preferably covered with some soft material suiiicient to prevent any jar taking place when the projectile is placed upon the ring. This ring may be supported from the bar B in various ways. In one form I have shown it made 'with a central shank f projecting from one side and adapted to fit in a correspondinglyshaped groove or channelj, formed at theouter end of the throwing-arm B. From the outer sides of the cup extend the bracing-arms g, which are parallel with the central arm F and extend exterior' to the bar B, which is attened at this point for the purpose. Through the arms f and g and the slotted end of the bar B holes are made, as shown at t', and a pivotpin passes through these holes, so that the cup or ring .I is turnable about the pivot-pin at I, and it may be adjusted with relation to the arm B so as to stand either in a straight line with the arm or to be bent up to a position more nearly approaching right vangles with said arm. The object of this construction is important, as it enables me, by the adjust-` ment of this cup with relation to the arm B, to determine the trajectory and the distance to which the projectile will be thrown.

In conjunction with this device I have shown a means for supporting the arm j', which may either an adj usting-screw 7i: or the arm may be held by a pin and holding-segment, as will be hereinafter described.

In conjunction with this device I have shown It is thus free to be easily disengaged IOO IIO

go a sleeve P'.

clasp/i4 a scale l', which is iixed to the end of the bar B alongside of the arm f and upon the radius of curvature from the pivot-pin t'. This scale is laid out andV determined by practical ex- 5 periment and is marked so as to show the trajectory and range of projectiles of various weights with any given tension of spring which may be used. It is thus only necessary to set the arm f' at a given angle with xo the arm B, and which is indicated by the Z, I have shown another scale m, iixed upon the projecting slotted end of the arm B and in conjunction with one of the brace-arms g, so that it may be used as a check in verification for the accuracy of the other scale. The

zo bracing-arms gare especially important because of the tendency of the throwing-cup to break under the inertia when the spring is released.

Another manner of securing and adjusting the cup A is to make a cup with the extension f', as previously described, and a similar extension f2 upon 'the opposite and outward side ot' the cup. The inner extension f is pivoted to legs q, which are held or fixed upon This sleeve fits around and upon the end of the arm B and is secured thereto by a rivet, pin, clamping-screw, or other suitable device. In line with the arm f and at the outer end of the arm B is another clamp p', similarly secured. Upon't-his sleeve is fixed the segment n, which is marked with a scale to indicate the angle to which the cup and its supporting-arms fzf should be set with relation to the arm B. In this case the 4o segment n is perforated with small holes or provided with any other means for adjusting the arm f', and the arm f2 is slotted so as to fit over this segment, having holes made 'through its two parts, so that a pin can be passed through them and through the intermediate segment, and this will lock the arm f' to the segment at any desired point with relation to the scale which is marked lupon.

the segment. The bracing-arms g in this case 5o extend from the sides of the cup J in each direction and connect with the arms f.

In some cases I have found it desirable to increase thestrength of the apparatus by means of supplemental coil-springs A. In

this case the springs are journaled in a similar manner upon standards and shafts parallel with and at a short distance from the main coils. rangement of this sort in which the supple- 6o mental springs are journaled parallel with the main springs and sufiiciently lower so as not to interfere with the depression of the throwing-arm B. .In this case the supple- In Fig. 2 I have shown an arnected by a grooved roller or rollers Z, which pass and lie beneath the arm B, so that when the springs are released the added force of the supplemental springs acts through the roller Z to force the arm B upward and forward. The coil-springs A are in this case shown with the shorter arms C projecting from the inner and adjacent ends of the coils, and they are bolted, clamped, or secu red to the base or support in a manner similar to that previously described. As the two coils are not in the same line, it will be manifest that the movement of the arms B and B will not entirely coincide. Consequently by means of the rollers Z this movement is allowed without any undue friction between the moving parts. I have also found that Ican efficiently combine the coil-springs here shown with spiral springs disposed horizontally and acting in conjunction with the coil-springs, or I may employ the spiral springs independently, the action being essentially the same. In this case I have shown the standards D fixed to the base I in the manner previously described and an arm t fulcrumed between these standards. The long portion of this arm or lever serves as the throwing-arm and carries the adjustable cup in the same man neras previously described. The shorter arm is curved downwardly, so as to stand at an obtuse angle with the longer portion, and it has an attachment r foi-*the coil-spring S', this spring having its opposite end connected by any suitable powerful attachment with the base-plate. When the spring S' is closed together, the longer armt will stand at an approximately Vertical position in the same manner as described for the arms B when coil-sprin gs are used. Vhen. the long arm is drawn down to the horizontal position by a suitable ben din g apparatus, the shorter arm will be carried backward between the standards D, and thus extend the coil-spring, so thatits tension will act to throw the arm t throughA its are with greatvelocity. lf it is desired to increase the strength with this form of spring, it may be indefinitely increased by adding springs S2 and connecting them with a common bar W, this bar then being connected by a yoke V with the shorter arm of the lever t. The spiral springs may also be combined with the vcoil-springs, as plainly shown in Fig. 9, the operation being essentially the same as previously described. In this case one or more spiral springs will have their ends anchored. to the base and will be connected with the shorter armof the lever t, which is journaled between the standards D. The coil-springs A are similarly journaled in close proximity with the standards D, `and in the present case I have shown them as lying beneath the arm t, which in this case is the throwing-arm. The arms B` then carry the rol-ler Z, which contacts with the arm t, and when thesprings are released simultaneously the combined action lakes place. The throwing-cu p .I is connected withj the arm t in a manner similar to that previ- IOO IIO

ously described for its connection with the arm B, and the segment and catch may be constructed in a similar manner, the operation being essentially the same.

I have here described several forms in which my invention may be embodied and carried out, but I do not desire to limit myself especially to these forms, as I am aware that many modifications may be made of the apparatus which will be essentially the same in practice as those which I have shown.

I-Iaving thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. An improvement in catapults consisting of a combination of coiled springs each having one end extended to form a fastening, and the other end extended at approximately right angles thereto to form a throwing-arm, and a cushion interior to the springs to absorb the recoil of the latter.

2. The combination of one or more coiled springs having one end extended to form anl anchor, the other end extended at approximately right angles thereto to form a throwing-arm, a journal-shaft extending centrally through the coils,exterior sleeves of larger diameter also extending through the coils intermediate between the interior thereof and the shaft, and a packing or cushion material interposed between the shafts and sleeves, and between the latter and the coils.

3. The combination of one or more coiled springs having anchor-arms extending from one end, throwing-arms from the other, journal-boxes and a shaft extending horizontally through the springs, an exterior sleeve of larger diameter having ends bored to fit the shaft and interior cushion materialsurrounding the shaft, and a second cushion material interposed between the sleeve and the interior of the coils to absorb the recoil of the spring.

4. The combination with coil-springs having anchor and throwing arms as shown, of a centrally-journaled shaft and an elastic cushion interposed between said shaft and the interior of the coils to absorb recoil and prevent noise. Y

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of one or more coilsprings having anchor and throwing arms, a latch and trigger by which the throwing-arm is held in place when drawn into a horizontal position, and a mechanism including an independent bending-bar fulcrumed upon the axis of the springs and a connection between said bar andlthrowing-arm for ben din gthe arm to said position substantially, as described,

6. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more coil-springs having anchorand throwing arms projecting therefrom, a latch and trigger adapted to engage and hold the throwing-arm when the latter has been depressed to .ahorizontal position, a mechanisrn for depressing the throwing-arm consisting of an independentbending-bar having arms or claws terminating in hooks adapted to engage the shaft of the coils, a connecting-bar to unite the bending-bar and throwing-arm and a device by which power majT be applied to the bending-bar to draw it and the throwing-arm into a horizontal position and engage the latter with the trigger.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more coils having anchor and throwing arms, meansincluding an independent bending-arm fulcrumed on the axis of the coils and having a connection with the throwing-arm for bending the latter into a horizontal position, a latch and trigger for engaging, holding and releasing said arms, and a ring having a conical or beveled interior surface, said ring adj ustably secured to the throwing-arm and adapted to receive the proj ectile.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more coils having anchor and throwing arms, means including an independent arm fulcrumed on the axes of the coils for bending said throwing-arms into a horizontal position, and a latch and trigger for holding and releasing said arm, a projectilecontaining cup secured to the outer end of the throwing-arm and means for lengthening said arm consisting of concentric tubes fitting correspondingly threaded differently sized sections at the outer end of the solid arm substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of coil-springs having anchor-arms projecting from the outer ends, throwing-arms projecting from the inner ends, a horizontal cushioned shaft extending through the coils and supports therefor and clamps whereby the adjacent throwing-arms are united to form a single arm actuated by both the springs.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more coil-springs mounted and operated as shown, a projectile-containing cup having arms and pivot-pin by which it is connected with the outer end of the throwing-arm in the plane of motion of the latter, a mechanism by which said cup isadjusted to stand at an. angle with relation to the throwing-arm, and a scale iixed with relation to said arms whereby the trajectory and distance of the projectile maybe determined.

Il. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of one or more coilsprings having anchor and throwing arms, mechanism by which they are actuated and a second series of springs correspondingly constructed and journaled parallel with the first-named springs, arms connecting said second series of springs with the throwingarm of the first series whereby the combination of both sets of springs is applied to the throwing-arm of the first set.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more sets of horizontally-sup- IOO IIO

IZO

pressure of the second set of arms is communicated to the rst set and movement longitudinally upon said arms is permitted.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more anchored springs, a throwing-arm with which said springs are connected, a projectile-containing cup fixed to the outer end of the throwing-arm, means for adjusting said cup, and a scale fixed with relation to the cup to determine the angle to which said cup is adjusted, and means for combining a plurality of said springs and uniting them with the throwing-arm.

CHARLES F. MCGLASHAN- Witnesses:

CEAS. J. MCCARTHY,

HARRY J. LASK. 

